On Friday we pulled out of Port Colborne, Ontario and headed for the Canal. First stop is the checkin booth. There you buy your ticket from an ATM type machine ($200CDN for the transit.) There also is a phone there to contact Seaway Welland Control. Seaway Welland asks for your boat’s name and makes sure you have radios for communications. Next, the controller works out how they are going to route you through the traffic. It reminded me a lot of air traffic control.
We departed check in and went under our first bridge and motored into Lock 8. The locks are numbered 1 through 8 with 1 on the Lake Ontario side and 8 on the Lake Erie side. Lock 8 is just a couple of feet and is a good tune up for the big locks to come. The lock master in 8 came out to the boat to see if we had any questions (and to make sure we had tickets.)
After we cleared Lock 8, Seaway Welland directed us to tie up to the side of the canal behind another pleasure boat. This was both to let a freighter upbound go by and also to put together a group of 6 pleasure boats for the passage. Two lessons learned here: First, you need very long dock lines because the tie up spiles are designed for freighters. We needed our 50′ line fore and aft. Second, there is a huge current developed by a passing freighter and it is important to be tied up fore, aft, and springs.
After about a 1 hour wait for traffic and the other 4 boats in our group, we proceeded to the first major lock, Lock 7.
There are 2 ways to transit the Canal, upbound and downbound. When you are upbound (Ontario to Erie) they fill the lock and there is lots of current and turbulence. The Canal requires at least 3 hands on deck to transit upbound. When you are downbound (like us) they empty the locks to lower you and the ride is much more gentle. Only 2 are required on deck for downbound boats.
To transit a lock, you motor in and the lock attendants hand you lines fore and aft. You can’t secure the lines because you need to let them out as the boat lowers. As you hold your boat to the lock wall, the upper gates are closed. Next the lock master makes sure you are ready and then large valves are opened to let the water out of the lock and lower the water to the lower level beyond. Once the level is lowered to the height of the next waterway, the lower gate is opened and off you go.
Although the first lock is only a couple of feet, the next 7 are each 40+ feet. It was so amazing to start with our deck level with the lock surface and to finish with that same surface at the top of our mast.
Although designed for big boats, it was a totally satisfying experience to go through as a little boat too. The Welland personnel were outstanding.
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Ive watched so many boats and ships go thru the locks in the Soo. But this was a great perspective of the locks. Really enjoyed the Video, you made Mary look like a pro handling the lines! Stay safe! we do enjoy following your Canges in Latitudes!
I think the order in which you posted the pics sort of threw me. If I would just stop and think about things, I could have figured it out!!! The ADD is starting to meet the Alzheimers!!! Thanks Jeff
Your video of the Welland Canal passing is awesome!! Thanks for sharing. We enjoy following your adventures.
Okay, as usual, I’m a little confused. Did you go to Toronto before or after the Welland? If I look at your map, it looks like you have to go from Lake Erie, thru the Welland, and then to Toronto. Timeline doesn’t seem right to me…set me straight!
You got it Denise. From Erie down the Canal, to Ontario, then North to Toronto.
Absolutely fascinating!! Jeff, you write a good story and I look forward to more! Safe sailing on Lake Ontario!!
Sounds like a really exciting but somewhat scary experience. I remember reading about the canal in my Weekly Reader when I was a little girl. Now my Nephew and Niece have made their way thru it and the Weekly Reader is no more. Time marches on 🙂 Love the video and both of you.
Hi Jeff and Annette,
Wish we could meet you in Hawaii, but if we go there is will take us a few years. Keep in touch, at 7 miles per hour we are pretty easy to catch somewhere.
THANKS FOR SHARING YOUR ADVENTURES!!!
It’s so wonderful to hear about your journey. It makes us feel very close to you!
The video was pretty cool! Love seeing you both in action!
We love you and wish you continued smooth, SAFE sailing!
With much love,
Annette & Jeff
PS We’re in hawaii Jan 19 – 26th. It would be extraordinary if our dates matched!
FIngers crossed on this end!